Lots of stuff happening for foodies right now. The Brisbane cheese festival is on this Sunday, one not not be missed, but here’s a few others for the diary:

Small winemakers exhibition at McGuires Paddington Cellars-Sunday July 10, at Sync Restaurant upstairs, 11.30am. Taste around 300 wines from smaller winemakers. Cost: $35 Pre-booked. $40 at the door, includes free tasting glass & tasting. Information & Booking: Phone (07) 33670185

More wine. I was going to say I’m not familiar with Dandelion Vineyards but then I went and looked at their website and their Shiraz bottle and realised I’ve had a bottle recently. Anyway,  James Halliday rates it as a 5 star winery and it will be the feature wine at a five course dinner at Mariosarti in Toowong,  on June 30th Thursday at 7pm. Price $115.00 per person ph 3870 4933

I’m starting to sound wine-obsessed I know. For me, wine is one of those frustratating subjects where the more I learn the less I realise I know. A couple of years ago I sat my WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) intro certificate and scored the worst result on an exam for me ever. (67%). Having said that, if I had the spare $ just lying around, I would be tempted to do the second level, beginning in August. The qualification is internationally recognised and great if you’re in the industry or just love wine and want to know more. Here’s the link if you’re interested.

http://www.chevaliers-du-cep.com.au/wset-level-1-foundation-certificate-in-wines/page/55/

Look out for truffle dinners at restaurants in the next few weeks. The first WA truffles have been unearthed and will be flying their way here by the end of next week I suspect. I was lucky enough to go on a truffle hunt in Manjimup for a story I did two years ago and found the whole process fascinating. Not to mention truffled scrambled eggs for breakfast AND getting to eat an entire truffle dego at The Loosebox.

I haven’t been to either, but I hear that Sourced-The Grocer in Tennerife is fab. Anyone been? I was also interested to hear that Mugged, a hole- in-the- wall espresso bar has opened in Oxford Street with good coffee and a small but well concieved food menu.  as I was there the other day and looking for a decent coffee so I’ll remember that next time. I’ll be checking out Vio’s in Paddington tonight, the new Italian, so will report back.

Openings to look out for include Caroline Jone’s Three Girl’s Skipping in Graceville and Nick Pinn’s Malt in the CBD.

Have also been hearing a bit about Ocean View Estate Winery out near Samford recently. You know how it is- you’ve never heard of a place, then all of a sudden it’s everywhere? I’m going to check it out at their event, Unwind in the Vines: http://www.citypublicity.com.au/announcements/unwind-in-the-vines

Anyway, let me know if you have any food news or where and what you’ve been eating.